Success with the nephew

[karenz]

My nephew was soooo scared of Xander. We went through alot to get them to get use to each other and respect each other. This Saturday my nephew took him for a walk and did commands with him. They both did great. Sorry, I cut my nephew's head out on purpose. We are funny about posting the kids pics on the Internet. But yall get the picture. I was soooo excited.

[karenz]

And Xander has learned to go bike riding. He runs perfectly beside me. And if I stop he does an automatic sit just like if we are walking.

He is really becoming a great boy. Just wish I could convince him to bring mom her shoes. Lol. Still working on that one.

[NWDS]

How long was the acclimation period between your nephew and Xander? Glad to hear they're getting along.

[karenz]

How long was the acclimation period between your nephew and Xander? Glad to hear they're getting along.

When I first got Xander and he was a little bitty pup the nephew was ok with him. Not great but ok. Only because Xander was 10 20 30 pounds. Once Xander hit 5 or 6 or 7 months and was 40 50 + pounds and acted like he was a herding protective defender of the universe things got bad. The nephew was terrified. Xander would chase and snap and herd him. And the nephew would scream squeal run and flap his arms like a chicken. Which meant Xander wanted to herd more. So for the last 8 to 10 months we have been working on them respecting each other and getting along.

Keep in mind the nephew is only around Xander occasionally. Sometimes a day a month or a week at the time and then it's a month before they are together again.

I'm always there with them. As great as Xander is I would never trust any dog, especially a ds, with a child.

We worked on them basically ignoring each other. The nephew was off limits to Xander completely. Xander was on a leash when they were together. If Xander had chilled out from playing and was tired I left him off leash but was right there just in case. And the nephew was not allowed to mess with him.

It was actually harder teaching the nephew than it was Xander. Lol. So we built up to a respect for each other. This was the first time the nephew really did much with Xander other than throwing ball for him. When he threw ball Xander would bring it and drop it. I would make Xander sit and pick up the ball. He had to wait and I would give the nephew the ball to throw. Then I started letting the nephew tell him to sit and pick up the ball.

So when we went for the walk I walked Xander first. Then the nephew took over. I walked beside them. Xander kept looking up at me like momma what's going on. But he walked great. When we stopped Xander would sit automatically if I was right beside him. If I was ahead or behind them he would turn and look at me. I told the nephew to give him a sit command and bam Xander sat. He also did some downs and stays.

I'm sure part of the reason Xander listened so well is because I was behind the nephew with the pointer finger but it still built confidence with the nephew. I am so excited that they can co-mingle without any issues.

Sorry I realized that was a long response but it is a really successful thing for us and I wanted to share how we made it work.

[Dutchringgirl]

Just wish I could convince him to bring mom her shoes. Lol. Still working on that one.

You can teach him to bring mom her shoes ! Thalie learned "APPORT" from when we did ring sport, its bring. So many times when I am biking and I drop my glove, I have Thalie Apport and she will give it to me. My friends laugh and are jealous. Just start with something close, and show her to get it, and use a word that you want to use for "bring" or use "bring" if you want. then take it from her and reward her. She must have a good "out" first though.